Sapium  

Trees or shrubs, monoecious (few species possibly dioecious). Exudate (from cut stems) present, white. Unarmed*. Glabrous throughout. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin entire, ciliate or toothed, blade not pellucid-punctate, sometimes 2-glandular at base on upper surface, with strictly marginal glands on lower surface, lower surface sometimes whitish; venation pinnate; domatia absent*; stipel-like structures absent*. Petiole short, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, often 2-glandular at apex. Inflorescence with axis, terminal and axillary, raceme-like; bracts with a pair of disc-shaped to flattened-elliptical glands, not leaf-like*, green; bracteoles small, divided to ciliate; floral buds initially covered by large bracts; pedicels absent or present, not articulated*. Male flowers: sessile in bud, pedicels present later; sepals 2, partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc 0; stamens 2, free or almost so; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae extrorse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sessile or with short pedicels; sepals 2–3, partially fused, less often free, rarely with marginal cup-shaped glands, greenish; petals 0; disc 0; ovary locules 1–3, ovules per locule 1; styles 1–3* short, partially* or completely?* fused (stigmas free), stigmas 1–3, free*, entire, not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, smooth, warty or tuberculate, greenish to brown; seed completely covered by red aril, caruncle absent; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.

An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.

World Checklist: about 20 spp.